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The June 2024 CAD renders were a legitimate Apple Watch leak, but they did not reveal a confirmed product called Apple Watch X. Apple later launched the device as Apple Watch Series 10, with 42mm and 46mm cases, a larger display and a thinner 9.7mm design. The leak’s screen-size direction was broadly right; its reported thickness and the “X” name were not.

In June 2024, 91mobiles published purported CAD renders of Apple’s next-generation smartwatch. The report described the device as either the Apple Watch Series 10 or a possible tenth-anniversary Apple Watch X. According to the report, the larger model could have a display of roughly 2 inches and dimensions of approximately 46 × 39.7 × 11.6mm.

That made the story significant, but the wording required caution. CAD renders can suggest a product’s external shape and proportions; they do not confirm its retail name, internal hardware, health sensors, software, price or final manufacturing dimensions.

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Apple closed the loop on September 9, 2024, when it announced Apple Watch Series 10. The product went on sale on September 20, 2024—not as Apple Watch X.

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  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

What the leaked CAD renders showed

The renders, attributed by 91mobiles to industry sources, appeared to show a familiar Apple Watch design:

  • A rectangular watch face with rounded corners.
  • The Digital Crown and side button in their familiar positions.
  • The established band-release arrangement.
  • A larger version measuring approximately 46mm high and 39.7mm wide.

The report’s most attention-grabbing claim was a display of approximately 2 inches. That would have made the watch’s screen larger than the roughly 1.7-inch display commonly cited for the Series 9 and even larger than the approximately 1.93-inch display associated with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Those diagonal figures came from reported coverage rather than Apple’s principal official specification. Apple instead describes Series 10 using display resolution and display area, so “2-inch” should be treated as an approximation rather than a confirmed Apple specification.

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Why the name “Apple Watch X” appeared

“Apple Watch X” was a rumor-driven name based on the tenth-anniversary symbolism of the iPhone X. The original Apple Watch was announced in September 2014 and released in April 2015, so there was uncertainty over whether Apple would mark its anniversary in 2024 or 2025.

Rumors associated with anniversary plans suggested a more substantial redesign, potentially including a thinner case and a new band attachment system. However, the CAD renders did not establish that Apple had finalized such a magnetic band system, and they did not prove that Apple intended to use the X branding.

The safest interpretation was always that “Apple Watch X” was shorthand for a possible anniversary redesign—not a confirmed commercial product name.

What Apple actually released

Apple announced Series 10 with the following confirmed details:

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  • Case sizes: 42mm and 46mm.
  • Case depth: 9.7mm for both sizes.
  • 46mm display: 416 × 496 pixels and 1,220 square millimeters of display area.
  • 42mm display: 374 × 446 pixels and 989 square millimeters of display area.
  • Processor: S10 SiP.
  • Health feature: sleep apnea notifications, subject to regional availability.
  • Other hardware: faster charging, plus water-depth and water-temperature sensing.
  • Battery estimate: up to 18 hours of normal use or up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode.
  • Charging: 0–80% in approximately 30 minutes.
  • U.S. launch price: from $399.
  • Retail availability: September 20, 2024.

Apple called Series 10 its largest Apple Watch display at launch. Its wider aspect ratio and more rounded corners increased usable screen area without turning the standard model into a 49mm Ultra-sized watch.

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  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

Apple Watch X leak versus Series 10 reality

Leak claim What happened
Approximately 2-inch display Broadly right in direction. Series 10 received Apple’s largest Apple Watch display, although Apple’s official specifications use resolution and display area rather than a literal 2-inch label.
46mm model Right. Series 10 launched in a 46mm size.
Rectangular design with Digital Crown and side button Broadly right. The final watch retained the recognizable Apple Watch layout.
46 × 39.7 × 11.6mm dimensions Partly right. The final 46mm model is 46 × 39 × 9.7mm. Height and width were close, but the leaked depth was substantially higher.
Apple Watch X branding Not confirmed. Apple launched the product as Apple Watch Series 10.
Major magnetic band redesign Not established. Apple retained compatibility between older 41mm and 45mm bands and the new 42mm and 46mm cases.

The biggest error was the leaked thickness

The reported 11.6mm depth conflicted with the thinner-design rumors circulating before launch. Apple’s official Series 10 technical specifications list both the 42mm and 46mm cases at 9.7mm deep.

That difference matters. A 9.7mm case is about 1.9mm thinner than the leaked estimate, so the renders either represented an earlier design, used a different measurement basis, or were reported inaccurately. The official specification should take precedence over the preliminary CAD figure.

The comparison also illustrates why case measurements must not be confused with display size. “42mm” and “46mm” refer to the case-height classes; they do not mean that the display measures 42mm or 46mm diagonally.

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Did Apple break band compatibility?

No major compatibility break appeared in the Series 10 launch. Apple said older 41mm and 45mm bands remained compatible with the new 42mm and 46mm cases, while new 42mm and 46mm bands were compatible with older models.

That does not prove that every rumored future band mechanism was impossible. It does show that the commercially released Series 10 did not require existing owners to replace their entire band collection because of a radical attachment change.

What the larger screen means in practice

The 46mm Series 10 is the more relevant model for readers drawn to the “2-inch display” headline. Its larger screen can make text, complications, controls and notifications easier to read and tap than on smaller standard models.

It also offers a middle ground between the regular Apple Watch and the Ultra. Buyers who want a larger display but do not want a 49mm case, action button, rugged construction or the Ultra’s more substantial profile may prefer the 46mm Series 10.

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The trade-off is wrist fit. The 46mm case is not automatically the best choice for every wearer, particularly on smaller wrists. The 42mm model retains the same 9.7mm depth while reducing the case height and width, and its display area is 989 square millimeters rather than 1,220.

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  • ADVANCED HEALTH INSIGHTS — Take an ECG anytime.* Get notifications if you have high or low heart rate or an irregular heart rhythm.* Understand your menstrual cycle and get retrospective ovulation estimates.* See overnight health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and more with the Vitals app.* Track sleep and get notifications if Apple Watch detects signs of sleep apnea.*
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS PARTNER — Measure all the ways you move with Activity Rings, which are customizable to match your lifestyle. Get advanced metrics for a range of workouts with the Workout app. Track the intensity of your workouts with training load. Use depth and water temperature sensors for your aquatic adventures. And Apple Watch comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ free.*
  • STAY CONNECTED — Send a text, take a call, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri, and get notifications on the go. Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) works with your iPhone or Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
  • INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Fall Detection and Crash Detection can connect you with emergency services in the event of a hard fall or a severe car crash. Emergency SOS lets you call for help with the press of a button.* Check In automatically notifies a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.*
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Series 10 versus Apple Watch Ultra 2

The larger Series 10 is not simply a cheaper Ultra. Apple’s comparison information lists Series 10 at up to 2,000 nits of brightness and up to 18 hours of normal battery life, while Ultra 2 reaches up to 3,000 nits and up to 36 hours of normal battery life.

Choose Series 10 if the priority is a large, readable display in a thinner mainstream design. Choose Ultra 2 if the priority is longer battery life, a 49mm case, greater outdoor durability, diving capabilities, an Action button, a siren and a more rugged design.

Buyers interested mainly in screen size should not assume the Ultra is necessary. The 46mm Series 10 provides the larger standard-model display without the Ultra’s added bulk.

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Health features: separate confirmed products from rumors

Leak-era coverage discussed possible blood-pressure or hypertension features. Those were not confirmed as delivered Series 10 features. Apple’s launch announcement emphasized sleep apnea notifications along with the watch’s other health and safety capabilities.

Health and emergency features can vary by device, software version, geography and regulatory approval. Apple specifically notes that not all features are available on all devices or in all regions, so buyers should check the specifications for their country before treating a health feature as guaranteed.

Should you buy the Series 10 connected to this leak?

Choose the 46mm Series 10 if:

  • You want the largest standard Apple Watch display.
  • You prefer a thinner design to the Ultra’s heavier 49mm form.
  • You want more screen space for text, complications and controls.
  • You already own compatible 41mm or 45mm bands.

Choose the 42mm Series 10 if:

  • You want Series 10 features in a smaller case.
  • The 46mm model would be uncomfortable on your wrist.
  • You value lower profile and fit more than maximum display area.

Choose the Ultra 2 if:

  • Battery life matters more than thinness.
  • You spend significant time outdoors or in water sports.
  • You want the brightest display, 49mm case, Action button and rugged hardware.

Consider an SE or refurbished Series 10 if:

  • You are budget-conscious and do not need the newest display or health hardware.
  • You want the Series 10 design at a potentially lower price through Apple Certified Refurbished inventory.

Apple listed the Apple Watch SE from $249 and the Series 10 from $399 at the 2024 launch. Current pricing, stock, finishes and cellular configurations can vary by country and retailer, so those figures should not be treated as universal current prices.

Verdict

The Apple Watch X story was a real and worthwhile CAD-render report, but “Apple Watch X revealed” was too definitive. The leak correctly pointed toward a larger standard Apple Watch and a 46mm model. It also showed a broadly familiar exterior.

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Its weakest points were the product name and the 11.6mm thickness. Apple did not launch an Apple Watch X; it launched Apple Watch Series 10, whose official 46mm case measures 46 × 39 × 9.7mm. The best description in hindsight is therefore: the leak previewed the Series 10’s larger-screen direction, but it did not reveal a confirmed Apple Watch X.

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